Information about this scheme

Eddington, Lot 1 comprises a mixed-use component at the heart of the scheme including 117 Key Worker homes, a Foodstore, Primary Healthcare Centre and the Energy Centre serving the entire Masterplan.

The project has been sustainability driven throughout with all residential units designed to Code for Sustainable Homes Level 5 standards and all non-residential areas built to BREEAM Excellent. The development has delivered affordable housing for University staff, as well as postgraduate students, local people, research buildings and a plethora of community facilities. The complex elements of the brief were carefully coordinated to ensure the successful integration of uses whilst creating architectural identity. The residential blocks wrap the service areas and large- scale elevations of the food store and energy centre providing varied residential block typologies and active street frontages.

The mixed-use brief led to three main building typologies each with distinct varied architectural responses. The food store is articulated as an elegant volume using a darker brick tone. The glazing is composed within larger scale openings complimented by elegant exposed dark steel work. The food store has a series of glass and timber canopies connecting the building to its surroundings with a covered community space within Market Square. Duplexes were provided to compensate for the single aspect nature of the wrapping units. Projecting corner windows provide rhythm which were technically challenging to ensure the fabric efficiency of the units was not compromised. A courtyard garden was created leading through to a five-storey corner tower which acts as a marker to the local centre seen from the adjacent green.

The creation of the courtyard garden created a residential building unconstrained of the other uses. A perimeter block was created with varied massing and accents that responds to the surrounding approaches, views out and sun path, allowing for amenity roof terraces. The scheme meets the aspirations and expectations of the client and the city for a high-quality, sustainable urban extension.

The new scheme lends itself to cultural and community events. Events organised during summer include; community café meet ups, dance classes, exhibitions of local artists’ work, weekly food parks and environmental education classes for children.